Latest from EU and global perspective Policy update for hazardous substances. Eliisa Irpola Ministry of the Environment, Finland

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1 Latest from EU and global perspective Policy update for hazardous substances Eliisa Irpola Ministry of the Environment, Finland

2 About the presentation EU-activities REACH authorisation REACH restriction Global actions Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Mercury Negotiations for global mercury convention EU mercury strategy Arctic activities

3 REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Authorisation Substances of very high concern (CMR, PBT, vpvb, or equivalent level of concern) which have been chosen to the Authorisation list (Annex XIV) may, after the so called sunset date be placed on the market or used only if an authorisation has been granted for a specific use, or the use has been exempted from authorisation. Applications for authorisation can be prepared by manufacturers, importers or downstream users of the substance. Aim is to substitute, where possible, these substances.

4 REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Authorisation Substance property Sunset date 5-tert-butyl-2,4,6-trinitro-mxylene (Musk xylene) 4,4 -iaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) vpvb 21 August 2014 Carcinogenic 21 August 2014 PBT 21 August 2015 Toxic for reproduction 21 Februar 2015 Toxic for reproduction 21 Februar 2015 Toxic for reproduction 21 Februar 2015 Diisobutyl phthalate: Sunset date entry into force + 36 months Diarsenic trioxide, Diarsenic pentaoxide, Lead chromate, Lead sulfochromate yellow, Lead chromate molybdate sulphate red: entry into force + 39 months Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate, 2,4-Dinitrotoluene: entry into force + 42 months

5 REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Restrictions Restrictions are the safety net for managing chemicals in the EU. The manufacture, placing on the market or use of substances can be restricted if there is an unacceptable risk to health or environment. Annex XVII contains restrictions for 60 substances or groups of substances. Latest entries are acrylamide in grouting applications ( ) and amendments to cadmium restrictions in paints, polymers, brazing fillers and jewellery ( )

6 REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Restrictions Dimethyl fumarate, lead in jewellery, phenyl mercury in PU manufacturing, mercury in professional use measuring devices and phthalates (DIBP, DBP, BBP, DEHP) as PVC softeners for consumer products are in the pipeline to be approved/assessed for restrictions. The sale of CMR-substances to general public is prohibited, also in mixtures above specific concentration limits. The substances concerned are listed in Appendices 1 to 6 to Annex XVII. The listing is based on classifications made in the CLP-regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 and the lists are amended accordingly.

7 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Convention entered into force on 17 May It provides for a global ban on the production of and trade in eight pesticides (aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex and toxaphene), two industrial chemicals (hexachlorobenzene and PCBs) and two byproducts of incineration processes (dioxins and furans) New listings to Convention 2009: Hexachlorocyclohexane, Chlordecone Hexabromobiphenyl, Pentachlorobenzene, PFOS, PentaBDE, OctaBDE 2011: Endosulfane Under consideration by experts: HBCD

8 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants The parties shall develop a National Implementation Plan (NIP) describing the national situation in respect of the substances covered by the Convention and the steps that have been followed to implement the Convention. The Convention also obliges each party to develop a national action plan (NAP) specifying the actions they will take to meet the obligations under the Convention. For 2009 listed substances NIP shall be submitted by August 2012.

9 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants The Russian Federation has ratified Stockholm Convention The EU has implemented the Convention by regulation on persistent organic pollutants (EC) 850/2004 Convention web site

10 Negotiations for global mercury convention The UNEP Governing Council decided in February 2009 to launch negotiations on a global legally binding instrument on mercury with the goal to conclude them in 2013 The aim is to agree on global actions to reduce supply of mercury, use of mercury in products and processes and mercury emissions as well as assure the environmentally sound management of mercury waste. The systems for monitoring compliance and assuring adequate financing for developing countries are part of the mandate for negotiations. gotiations/tabid/3320/default.aspx

11 EU mercury strategy The EU mercury strategy in 2005 has resulted in restrictions on the sale of measuring devices containing mercury, a ban on exports of mercury from the EU that will come into force in 2011 and new rules on safe storage of mercury. It contains 20 measures to reduce mercury emissions, cut supply and demand and protect against exposure, especially to methylmercury found in fish. The strategy was reviewed in The Council stressed in the review the amalgam issue, the button cell batteries, the BAT for industry emissions and the chloralkali production using mercury cell technology.

12 Arctic Council activities Based on the results of the AMAP Mercury Assessment 2011, the Arctic Council confirms the need for urgent global action to reduce mercury levels in the Arctic and in the rest of the world. Studies show, that the mercury levels are still rising in arctic and especially in the marine species. ACAP projects: Obsolete Pesticides, Reduction of Releases of PCDD/PCDF, Brominated Flame Retardants, Reduction of Mercury Releases The Arctic Council Project Support Instrument is a voluntary financing instrument open to contributions from the Arctic Council members, observers and other interested parties for action/investment-oriented projects related to pollution prevention, abatement and elimination.